1985 Ford Bronco II Eddie Bauer review from North America
"An excellent, reliable small SUV"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The vehicle ran fairly well when I purchased it, but I soon changed from the factory computer-controlled carburetor system to the older-style Duraspark ignition and standard carburetor. This made the engine much more reliable.
A little over a year after I bought the Bronco II, the engine blew two piston rings which basically ruined the engine. This was partially because of driving style and oil leaks that I did not keep a close enough eye on. No other parts of the engine showed unusual wear. I installed a re-manufactured engine after this happened.
The transfer case shift linkage was also out of adjustment when I first bought the vehicle. I could not shift into 4x4 low. This was a very simple problem to fix.
General comments?
Despite the few small problems encountered with this vehicle, overall the Bronco II has performed excellent for me. I absolutely love this little 4x4. It drives and rides very comfortably, and although it may be a bit underpowered with the stock engine, it can run well on the highway. Gas mileage can also drop very low depending on driving style. I have had numbers everywhere from 10 mpg up to 22 mpg. I have however made a few simple engine modifications that have improved performance considerably and have helped my economy as well.
The Bronco II's small size and 4-wheel drive will take you anywhere you want to go, in comfort and security. I have had a lot of fun with this vehicle and I doubt I will ever get rid of it.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1985 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.8 liter Manual |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 115000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 126000 miles |
| Previous car | Mercury Cougar |
| Date of Entry | 17th March, 2003 |